Image forming apparatus, print control method, and storage medium for controlling user of executing gray-out print settings

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus may include an acquisition unit, a setting unit, and an instruction unit. The acquisition unit acquires print data from an information processing apparatus. The setting unit receives a user operation executed via an input device and configured to execute a print setting for the print data. The instruction unit instructs the acquisition unit to acquire the print data based on a print instruction for executing printing and instructs the setting unit to receive an input by the user operation for executing a print setting for the print data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable ofcommunicating with an information processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a broadband network environment and a virtualizedserver have been widely used. In other words, the Internetinfrastructure has greatly progressed. Under such circumstance of thegreatly progressed Internet infrastructure, use of the following networkcommunication has been widespread. More specifically, more and moreusers may access an office application, which operates on a server onthe Internet, via a web browser.

The office application includes document generation software,spreadsheet software, and presentation software. The applicationoperating on an Internet server and accessed by a user via a web browseris referred to as a Software as a Service (SaaS) application, a cloudapplication, or a web application.

On the other hand, more and more multifunction peripherals (MFPs) usedin an office have been used in a network-connected environment. JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 11-134125 discusses an MFP that enablesa user to access resources on the Internet via a web browser (a localuser interface (UI)) operating on the MFP.

A recently developed MFP enables a user to access a cloud applicationvia a web browser on a local UI. In addition, the MFP like this canprint a document that has been generated or stored by the cloudapplication. However, it is desired by the market that time required forprinting a document generated or stored by a cloud application on an MFPbe reduced in addition to enabling printing of the document generated orstored by the cloud application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method for improving theproductivity of an image forming apparatus that processes and handlesprint data stored on an information processing apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire print datafrom an information processing apparatus, a setting unit configured toreceive a user operation executed via an input device and configured toexecute a print setting for the print data, and an instruction unitconfigured to instruct the acquisition unit to acquire the print databased on a print instruction for executing printing and configured toinstruct the setting unit to receive an input by the user operation forexecuting a print setting for the print data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus including a plurality of functions for processing print data,the image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured toacquire print data from an information processing apparatus, a selectionunit configured to determine whether print data is to be acquired by theacquisition unit and if it is determined that the print data is to beacquired by the acquisition unit, configured to select predeterminedprocessing for executing the function for processing the print data fromamong processing for executing each of the plurality of functions.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an imageforming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect datathat includes an instruction for displaying a screen for receiving asetting of a print item used in generating print data on an informationprocessing apparatus, a setting unit configured to determine whether thedata has been detected by the detection unit, if it is determined thatthe data has been detected, configured to generate a print settingscreen for receiving a setting of another print item different from theprint item together with the print item, and configured to execute aprint setting via the print setting screen, a request unit configured totransmit setting information set to the print item via the print settingscreen, to the information processing apparatus and configured torequest the information processing apparatus to generate print data, aprint unit configured, when a reply describing that print data has beengenerated based on the setting information set to the print item isreceived from the information processing apparatus, to acquire the printdata from the information processing apparatus and configured to printthe print data according to the setting information set to the printitem and to another print item via the print setting screen.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features,and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 1A through 1D illustrate an example of a screen used in an assumedprint method.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration of an imageforming apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary functional configuration of the imageforming apparatus.

FIGS. 5A and 5B is a flowchart illustrating exemplary processingexecuted by a print control processing program.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a print setting screen.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a table.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary processing executed by apull-printing processing program.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a portable documentformat (PDF) file.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary processing executed by adownload processing program.

FIGS. 11A through 11C illustrate an example of a print setting screen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the inventionwill be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

To begin with, a print method according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, which is executed by an image forming apparatusto print data by utilizing a web application, will be described indetail below. FIGS. 1A through 1D illustrate an example of a screen usedin the assumed print method. Referring to FIG. 1A, a web browser screen10 is displayed on an image forming apparatus by utilizing a webapplication, which has a spreadsheet function.

In the embodiments, it is supposed that a user can generate a table, agraph, or a general document via a screen that can enable variousfunctions of the web application. The document generated by the user isstored on a web server that provides the web application. Furthermore,the user can print the generated document by selecting a print button11, which is provided on the web browser screen 10. When the printbutton 11 is selected, a popup screen 12 (FIG. 1B) is displayed. Thepopup screen 12 is a screen of the web application for executing a printsetting.

More specifically, via the popup screen 12, the user executes a printsetting for an input item (i.e., a print item, such as paper size orpaper orientation) necessary to generate PDF data, which is an exampleof print data used in printing. Subsequently, when a print button 13 isselected via the popup screen 12, the web server generates PDF data usedin printing.

In this case, for example, the image forming apparatus acquires thegenerated PDF data, executes layout processing thereon, and then printsthe processed image data (i.e., executes pull-printing).

In the present exemplary embodiment, in executing the pull-printing, theimage forming apparatus displays a selection popup screen 14 on the webbrowser (local UI) as illustrated in FIG. 1C. The user can select amethod for processing the PDF data via the selection popup screen 14.More specifically, the user can select box storage, printing, or preview(display) via the selection popup screen 14.

For example, in executing printing, the user selects a print button 15via the local UI, and then selects a start button 16. If it isdetermined by the image forming apparatus that the user has pressed thestart button 16, then the image forming apparatus downloads the PDF datafrom the web server and displays a print setting screen 20 forpull-printing (FIG. 1D).

Subsequently, the user executes detailed print settings related to printitems, such as a two-sided setting or a setting for a finisher via theprint setting screen 20. Then the user can select a print start button21. In addition, the image forming apparatus prints the downloaded PDFdata on the sheet according to a content (the print setting information)set to each item. However, the following problem may arise in theabove-described assumed print method.

(1) Because the setting (instruction) executed via the print settingscreen 20 of the local UI is received after the PDF data has beendownloaded, the user is required to wait until the PDF data iscompletely downloaded. Therefore, if the PDF data is large, theproductivity may degrade.

(2) The user is required to execute the redundant designation via theprint setting screen 20 even when the user has already executed anotherdesignation via the popup screen 12 by selecting the print button 11 onthe web browser screen 10.

(3) The user is required to execute the redundant print instruction viathe selection popup screen 14 even when the user has already executedanother instruction via the popup screen 12 by selecting the printbutton 11 on the web browser screen 10.

In the following description, an example of an image forming apparatus(computer) according to an exemplary embodiment, which is capable ofsolving each of the above-described problems (1) through (3), will bedescribed in detail below. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a systemaccording to the present exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, thesystem includes the image forming apparatus 101 and a plurality of webservers (application servers 102 and 103 and a file server 104).

The image forming apparatus 101 is connected to the Internet (network)and accesses various web servers on the Internet. The application server102, which is an example of the information processing apparatus,provides a spreadsheet application via the Internet. The user can accessthe application server 102 by a uniform resource locator (URL)“http://www.xxx.hyou”.

The application server 103, which is an example of the informationprocessing apparatus, provides a document generation application via theInternet. The user can access the application server 103 by the URL“http://www.yyy.doc”.

The file server 104, which is an example of the information processingapparatus, provides a file management application that enables storageand viewing of various files via the Internet. The user can access thefile server 104 by the URL “http://www.zzz.file”.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration of the imageforming apparatus 101. Referring to FIG. 3, a central processing unit(CPU) 301 centrally controls the operation of the image formingapparatus 101. A random access memory (RAM) 302 provides a work area ofthe CPU 301 and temporarily stores data.

An auxiliary storage device 303 is a removable memory, such as a harddisk or a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) and stores the data.The auxiliary storage device 303 can be used instead of the RAM 302. Theimage display apparatus 304 is an example of an input device, such as atouch panel. The image display apparatus 304 displays the status of aprint engine 307 or an error message. In addition, for example, theimage display apparatus 304 receives a print setting in response to auser operation.

A user command input device 305 is an example of an input device, suchas a touch panel. The user command input device 305 receives an input oflogin information in response to a user operation.

A network interface card (NIC) 306 executes two-way data communicationwith other apparatuses on the network via a local area network (LAN)320. In the present exemplary embodiment, the LAN 320 is connected tothe Internet via a router (not illustrated). Accordingly, the imageforming apparatus 101 can communicate with the application server 102,the application server 103, and the file server 104.

The print engine 307 outputs (prints) the print data that has been input(or acquired) via the network onto a sheet. The reading unit 308 is ascanner, which reads an image of a printed document set on a documentstand to generate electronic data, such as monochromatic (binary) dataor color (multivalued) data.

A digital service unit (DSU) (digital line terminal apparatus) 310 isconnected to a digital line 330 and transmits and receives data betweenthe image forming apparatus 101 and an external apparatus. A modem 311modulates or demodulates the data transmitted or received via a networkcontrol unit (NCU) 312.

The NCU 312 is connected to an analog line 340. The NCU 312 opens andcloses the line, controls an outgoing or incoming call, and transmitsand receives image data (analog image data). A universal serial bus(USB) communication unit 314 transmits and receives data to and from anexternal information terminal by using the USB. Basically, theabove-described module units are in communication with one another via amain bus 309.

The present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the above-describedconfiguration. More specifically, the image display apparatus 304 andthe user command input device 305 can be implemented on the same module.Furthermore, it is not always required to provide the reading unit 308,the DSU 310, the modem 311, or the NCU 312.

In the present exemplary embodiment, each function of the image formingapparatus 101 and each processing executed by the image formingapparatus 101 according to the following flow charts are implemented bythe CPU 301 by executing processing according to instructions includedin a program stored on the RAM 302.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary functional configuration of the imageforming apparatus 101. Referring to FIG. 4, the job control processingunit 401 centrally controls each software module. More specifically, thejob control processing unit 401 controls each job input to and processedby the image forming apparatus 101.

A network processing unit 402 is software module that controls anexternal communication, which is primarily executed via the NIC 306. Inother words, the network processing unit 402 controls communicationswith other apparatuses on the network. In addition, when a controlcommand or data is received from a network apparatus, the networkprocessing unit 402 notifies the content of the received command or datato the job control processing unit 401.

Furthermore, the network processing unit 402 transmits the controlcommand and the data to each apparatus on the network according to aninstruction input by the job control processing unit 401. A UIprocessing unit 403 is software module that primarily controls the imagedisplay apparatus 304 and the user command input device 305. The UIprocessing unit 403 notifies the content of a user operation executedvia the image display apparatus 304 or the user command input device 305to the job control processing unit 401. In addition, the UI processingunit 403 controls the content of display by the image display apparatus304 or the user command input device 305 according to a result ofprocessing by the job control processing unit 401.

The web browser 404 is software module that executes communication withthe web server connected to the network, such as the application server102, via the network processing unit 402. The web browser 404 displays aweb browser screen on the image display apparatus 304 based on theresource acquired from the web server. Furthermore, the web browser 404controls the web browser screen in response to a user operation executedvia the image display apparatus 304.

A hook processing unit 405 is software module that executes filtering ondata transmitted and received between the web browser 404 and the webbrowser screen where necessary. More specifically, the hook processingunit 405 includes software filters, such as the direct data filteringunit 406 and the popup filter unit 407.

The direct data filtering unit 406 monitors a GET command (GET method)transmitted from the web browser 404 to the web server. Morespecifically, the direct data filtering unit 406 detects a command (aGET command) for acquiring a directly processable file. In the presentexemplary embodiment, a “directly processable file” refers to a filethat can be directly processed by the image forming apparatus 101. Thedirectly processable file includes a PDF file, an eXtended MarkupLanguage (XML) paper specification (XPS) file, a Joint PhotographicExperts Group (JPEG) file, and a tagged image file format (TIFF) file.

If a GET command has been detected, the direct data filtering unit 406notifies the job control processing unit 401 that the GET command hasbeen instructed together with the uniform resource identifier (URI) ofthe directly processable file. The direct data filtering unit 406executes the determination as to whether a directly processable file hasbeen received by utilizing the prefix of the input file. The directlyprocessable file is not limited to a PDF file, an XPS file, a JPEG file,or a TIFF file. More specifically, a file of a format other than PDF,XPS, JPEG, or TIFF can be used. The popup filter unit 407 is a softwarefilter provided to each web server connected via the network. The popupfilter unit 407 monitors data input to and output from the web browser404.

If data that instructs the display (output) of the popup screen (displayinstruction data) is detected, the popup filter unit 407 notifies thejob control processing unit 401 that the display instruction data hasbeen detected and an input item on the popup screen. In addition, whenthe notification from the job control processing unit 401 is received,the popup filter unit 407 executes processing for closing the popupscreen and transmits a reply to the web server. The web serverpreviously stores rules applied to the popup filter unit 407 fordetecting the display instruction data (keywords included in thecommunication as its content and the order of the keywords).

A print setting processing unit 408 is software module which controls apull-printing screen for executing various print settings (i.e., theprint setting processing unit 408 executes input control) whenpull-printing is executed after receiving a notification from the jobcontrol processing unit 401 and a download processing unit 409. Thedownload processing unit 409 is software module which executesprocessing for downloading a directly processable file. In other words,the download processing unit 409 can acquire a directly processable filefrom the web server.

In downloading a data file, the download processing unit 409 controlsthe order of acquiring (inputting) data while analyzing the dataaccording to a type of the data. In addition, the download processingunit 409 notifies a part of the content (result) of the analysis to theprint setting processing unit 408.

A BOX processing unit 410 is software module which registers variousdata notified from the network processing unit 402 and scan image datagenerated by the image forming apparatus 101 to a file system, which isstructured on the auxiliary storage device 303 (i.e., the BOX processingunit 410 executes file-system registration). A preview processing unit412 is a software module which generates a preview image of the fileregistered by the BOX processing unit 410 and the file downloaded by thedownload processing unit 409. In addition, the preview processing unit412 executes control for displaying the generated preview image on theimage display apparatus 304 via the UI processing unit 403.

A PDL processing unit 413 is software module configured to analyze PDLdata according to an instruction input by the job control processingunit 401. In addition, the PDL processing unit 413 executes drawingbased on the result of the analysis. Furthermore, the PDL processingunit 413 notifies the generated image to the job control processing unit401. The PDL processing unit 413 can execute analysis and drawing on aplurality of types of PDL data.

A print processing unit 414 is software module configured to control theprint engine 307 according to an instruction input by the job controlprocessing unit 401 and to print a designated image (i.e., to executeprint processing). Furthermore, the print processing unit 414 receivesimage data and various information, such as image information(information about an image such as the size of the image data, thecolor mode, or the resolution), layout information (information such asoffset layout information, scaling, or imposition), or output sheetinformation (the size and the printing direction). In addition, theprint processing unit 414 executes appropriate image processing on theimage data and prints the image data on the designated sheet bycontrolling the print engine 307.

First Example of Processing by the Web Application

Now, print control processing according to the present exemplaryembodiment, which is print processing executed by the image formingapparatus 101 by accessing the application server 102 according to auser operation executed via the image display apparatus 304, will bedescribed in detail below with reference to the flow chart of FIGS. 5Aand 5B. FIGS. 5A and 5B is a flow chart illustrating exemplaryprocessing executed by a print control processing program according tothe present exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5A, in step S501, the UI processing unit 403 receivesa user operation via the web browser screen displayed on the imagedisplay apparatus 304. For example, when the user successfully logs intothe application server 102 as a result of a user operation via the usercommand input device 305, the web browser screen 10 (FIG. 1A) isdisplayed. Accordingly, the user can generate a spreadsheet by utilizingvarious functions of the spreadsheet application.

In step S502, the web browser 404 communicates with the applicationserver 102 according to the access to the spreadsheet application, whichhas been executed by the user via the web browser screen 10. In stepS503, the popup filter unit 407 executes filtering on the communicationby the web browser 404. In step S508, the direct data filtering unit 406monitors whether the communication is compliant with a condition of eachsoftware filter.

More specifically, in step S503, if display instruction data input by auser operation executed by selecting the print button 11 has beendetected (Yes in step S503), then the processing advances to step S504.On the other hand, if no display instruction data has been detected (Noin step S503), then the processing advances to step S508. Accordingly,the following processing in steps S504 through S507 is executed if thepopup filter unit 407 has detected display instruction data.

In step S504, the popup filter unit 407 notifies that the displayinstruction data has been detected, and an input item on the popupscreen to the job control processing unit 401. When the above-describednotification is received from the popup filter unit 407, the job controlprocessing unit 401 transmits the notified input item (input iteminformation) to the print setting processing unit 408. In addition, thejob control processing unit 401 instructs the display of a print settingscreen (pull-printing screen).

In the present exemplary embodiment, similar to the input items on thepopup screen 12 (FIG. 1B), the input item includes the paper size andthe paper orientation. However, the present exemplary embodiment is notlimited to this. In other words, other input items can also be used asthe input item.

After receiving the notification for displaying the print setting screenfrom the job control processing unit 401, the print setting processingunit 408 displays a print setting screen 30 (FIG. 6) on the imagedisplay apparatus 304. When the print setting screen 30 is displayed,the print setting screen 30 is superposed on the web browser screendisplayed by the web browser 404. Accordingly, for the user the printsetting screen 30 seems to be displayed according to an action executedin response to the user operation for selecting the print button 11.

In addition, the input item notified from the job control processingunit 401 is displayed on the print setting screen 30 together. The usercan execute an input to a field corresponding to the input item. On theother hand, if no input item has not been notified from the job controlprocessing unit 401, the print setting processing unit 408 displays aprint setting screen 20 (FIG. 1D), which is a default print settingscreen.

Accordingly, in this case, if the input item is notified from the jobcontrol processing unit 401 afterwards, the print setting processingunit 408 can add a paper orientation button 31 to the print settingscreen 20 and can use the resulting screen as the print setting screen30.

On the print setting screen 30, an alternative “auto”, which is analternative for designating the paper size set in an input print job,cannot be selected by pressing a paper selection button 32. Toparaphrase this, in this case, the paper size that can be set on theimage forming apparatus 101 is to be selected.

For the input item on the popup screen, the button corresponding to theinput item can be colored in a color different from the color of theother buttons or can be provided with a specific mark to clearlyindicate that the input item is an item to be notified to theapplication server 102.

In step S505, the user executes a print setting via the print settingscreen 30 by executing an operation on the image display apparatus 304.When a print start button 33 is selected, the print setting processingunit 408 notifies print setting information, which includes the contentof the print setting, to the job control processing unit 401.

In step S506, the job control processing unit 401 notifies print settinginformation set to the input item on the popup screen, among the printsetting information that has been notified from the print settingprocessing unit 408 (i.e., the paper size and the paper orientation), tothe popup filter unit 407. The popup filter unit 407 inputs the contentof the input item notified from the job control processing unit 401 tothe corresponding input item on the popup screen, which is currentlydisplayed by background display, to create (simulate) a state in whichthe print button has been selected. In addition, the web browser 404notifies the print setting information input via the popup screen to theapplication server 102.

When the print setting screen input via the popup screen is received,the application server 102 generates a PDF file (PDF data) to be printedbased on the received print setting screen. Furthermore, the applicationserver 102 notifies a path to the generated PDF file to the web browser404 as a reply from the image forming apparatus 101. In this manner, theapplication server 102 enables the pull-printing of the PDF file.

Furthermore, the web browser 404 issues a GET command for the PDF fileto the application server 102 at an appropriate timing. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the application server 102 generates a PDF file.However, the application server 102 can generate PDL data or image dataof different formats, such as an XPS file or a TIFF file.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the popupfilter unit 407 simulates the input via the popup screen in step S506.However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. Inother words, alternatively, the popup filter unit 407 can generateinformation of a content similar to the content of the informationnotified to the application server 102 when the print button is selectedvia the popup screen and the web browser 404 can notify the generatedinformation to the application server 102.

In step S507, after simulating the input to the popup screen, the popupfilter unit 407 sets a print setting flag to the RAM 302. Then theprocessing returns to step S502 and the processing in step S502 andbeyond is executed to monitor the status of the communication executedvia the web browser 404.

In step S508, the direct data filtering unit 406 determines whether theweb browser 404 has issued a GET command to the application server 102.If it is detected that a GET command has been issued (Yes in step S508),then the direct data filtering unit 406 deletes the GET command. Toparaphrase this, in this case, the GET command is not notified to theapplication server 102.

In addition, the direct data filtering unit 406 notifies the job controlprocessing unit 401 that it has been detected that the GET command hasbeen issued, together with the file path (the URI) included in the GETcommand. Then the processing advances to step S509. On the other hand,if it is determined that no GET command has been issued (No in stepS508), then the processing returns to step S501.

In step S509, the job control processing unit 401 verifies (determines)whether the print setting flag has been set. If it is determined thatthe print setting flag has been set (Yes in step S509), the job controlprocessing unit 401 determines that the setting via the print settingscreen 30 has already been completed. Then the processing advances tostep S510. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print settingflag has not been set (No in step S509), then the processing advances tostep S513. More specifically, the following processing in steps S510through S512 is executed if the display instruction data has beendetected and if the setting via the print setting screen 30 has beencompleted.

In step S510, the job control processing unit 401 gives an instructionindicating “no analysis of downloaded file” to the download processingunit 409. In addition, the job control processing unit 401 requests thedownload processing unit 409 to download the data having the file pathincluded in the GET command to actually download the data.

In step S511, the job control processing unit 401 notifies thedownloaded PDF file to the PDL processing unit 413. In addition, the jobcontrol processing unit 401 requests the PDL processing unit 413 toexecute an analysis and drawing on the PDF file. The PDL processing unit413 executes drawing on the PDF file in the unit of a page.

In step S512, the job control processing unit 401 notifies the printsetting information and each page that has been generated in step S511to the print processing unit 414 together with the print settinginformation. Then the notified image data is subjected to appropriateimage processing and finishing processing. Then the image-processed datais finally printed by using the print processing unit 414.

After all the pages have been printed, the processing returns to stepS501 and the processing executed by using dialogs with the user via theweb browser screen is continued.

In the present exemplary embodiment, in executing printing from the webapplication such as the spreadsheet application installed on theapplication server 102, in which the popup screen 12 is displayed, theuser executes the input via the popup screen 12 of the applicationserver 102 at the same time as executing the input via the print settingscreen 30 of the image forming apparatus 101. With the above-describedconfiguration, the present exemplary embodiment can save the user'strouble of having to execute the redundant operation of inputting theinstruction via the print setting screen 30 after executing previousinputs via the popup screen 12.

Now, second exemplary processing will be described in detail below withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the second exemplary processing, theimage forming apparatus 101 executes printing by accessing theapplication server 103 according to a user operation executed via theimage display apparatus 304 and executes a file operation by accessingthe file server 104.

In the second exemplary processing, in steps S501, the user executes auser operation via the web browser screen displayed on the image displayapparatus 304. In step S502, each web server and the web browser 404executes data communication. In the communication between theapplication server 103 and the file server 104, a GET command for thedirectly processable file is issued from the web browser 404 withoutdisplaying a popup screen. Accordingly, in this example, because nodisplay instruction data is detected by the popup filter unit 407, a“No” determination result is acquired in step S503.

If a print request to the application server 103 or a file operationrequest to the file server 104 has been input via the image displayapparatus 304, the web browser 404 issues a GET command for the directlyprocessable file. The direct data filtering unit 406 detects that theGET command has been issued and a “Yes” determination result is acquiredin step S508. Accordingly, in this case, the processing in step S509 isexecuted.

In the second processing example, the user does not execute the settingvia the popup screen. Therefore, no print setting flag has been set.Accordingly, it is determined “No” in step S509 and the processingadvances to step S513.

The following processing in steps S513 through S519 is executed if it isdetermined in step S509 that no print setting flag has been set. Inother words, the processing in step S513 through S519 is executed ifpull printing is started when the web application operating on the webbrowser 404 does not display a popup screen.

More specifically, the processing in step S513 through S519 is executedwhen a document generated by the document generation applicationoperating on the application server 103 is to be printed. In addition,the processing in step S513 through S519 is executed when a file storedon the file server 104 is to be viewed or printed.

Because information necessary for generating PDF data to be printed hasalready been acquired by the document generation application on theapplication server 103 before the printing starts, the user is notrequired to input a value (additional information) to the input item viathe popup screen. In addition, because the file server 104 executes pullprinting on an already generated file, it is not necessary for the userto input additional information.

In step S513, the job control processing unit 401 selects processing tobe executed when the GET command is detected according to informationstored on a table illustrated in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, an addressfield 701 stores information about the regular expression of the filepath (the URI). The processing type field 702 stores information aboutthe type of processing corresponding to the address 701. To paraphrasethis, the table illustrated in FIG. 7 stores information about each ofthe plurality of web servers and each processing that implements each ofthe plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 101, which ismutually associated. The table is previously stored by the user or anadministrator of the system on the auxiliary storage device 303. Thetable can be rewritten or updated where necessary.

In step S513, the job control processing unit 401 serially compares theinformation about the file path notified from the direct data filteringunit 406 and the information stored in the address field 701 indescending order starting from the information stored in the first (top)field of the address column 701 and searches for a row includinginformation that matches the notified file path.

The job control processing unit 401 selects next processing according tothe information stored in the processing type field 702 corresponding tothe row including matching information. If it is determined that“selection” is the next processing, then the processing advances to stepS514. In step S514, the web browser 404 displays the selection popupscreen 14 (FIG. 1C) on the image display apparatus 304 to prompt theuser to select a method for processing the directly processable file.

On the other hand, if it is determined that “storage” has been selectedvia the popup screen on the UI processing unit 403 as the nextprocessing, then the processing advances to step S517. Furthermore, ifit is determined that “printing” has been selected via the popup screenon the UI processing unit 403 as the next processing, then theprocessing advances to step S519. Moreover, if it is determined that“display” has been selected via the popup screen on the UI processingunit 403 as the next processing, then the processing advances to stepS515. In addition, if it is determined that “display (preview)” has beenselected via the popup screen on the UI processing unit 403 as the nextprocessing or if it is determined in step S514 that “display” has beenselected as the next processing, then the processing advances to stepS515.

In step S515, the job control processing unit 401 gives an instructionindicating “no analysis of downloaded file” to the download processingunit 409. Furthermore, the job control processing unit 401 requests thedownload processing unit 409 to download the file having the file pathincluded in the GET command. Then the download processing unit 409downloads the file.

In step S516, the job control processing unit 401 notifies thedownloaded file to the preview processing unit 412 and requests thepreview processing unit 412 to execute preview processing. The previewprocessing unit 412 generates a preview image based on the notifiedfile. Furthermore, the preview processing unit 412 displays thegenerated preview image on the image display apparatus 304.

If the preview image has been currently executed and if the userexecutes an operation for discontinuing the preview processing, thepreview processing unit 412 ends the preview processing. After thepreview processing is completed, the processing returns to step S501 andthe processing executed by using dialogs with the user via the webbrowser screen is continued.

If it is determined that “BOX storage” is the next processing or if itis determined in step S514 that “storage” has been selected, then theprocessing advances to step S517. In step S517, the job controlprocessing unit 401 gives an instruction indicating “no analysis ofdownloaded file” to the download processing unit 409. In addition, thejob control processing unit 401 requests the download processing unit409 to download the file having the file path included in the GETcommand. Then the download processing unit 409 downloads the file.

In step S518, the job control processing unit 401 notifies thedownloaded file to the BOX processing unit 410 and requests the BOXprocessing unit 410 to execute BOX processing on the notified file. TheBOX processing unit 410 executes file system registration of thenotified file.

After the file system registration has been completed, the processingreturns to step S501 and the processing executed by using dialogs withthe user via the web browser screen is continued.

On the other hand, if “pull printing” has been determined to be the nextprocessing or if it is determined that “printing” has been selected instep S514 (i.e., according to a print instruction from the job controlprocessing unit 401 or the UI processing unit 403), the processingadvances to step S519. In step S519, the job control processing unit 401executes the pull-printing processing illustrated in FIG. 8. After thepull-printing processing is completed, the processing returns to stepS501 and the processing executed by using dialogs with the user via theweb browser screen is continued.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary processing executed by thepull-printing processing program. Referring to FIG. 8, in step S800, thejob control processing unit 401 gives an instruction indicating“analysis on downloaded file enabled” to the download processing unit409. In addition, the job control processing unit 401 requests thedownload processing unit 409 to download the file (data) having the filepath included in the GET command. At substantially the same timing asthe timing of issuing the request to the download processing unit 409,the job control processing unit 401 requests the print settingprocessing unit 408 to display the print setting screen.

In step S801, the download processing unit 409 starts downloading thedata, starting from a necessary portion, while analyzing the fileaccording to the type of the file having the file path notified from thejob control processing unit 401. In addition, in analyzing the file, thedownload processing unit 409 acquires the following page quantityinformation and page information. At each timing of acquiring the pagequantity information and the page information, the download processingunit 409 notifies the acquired information to the print settingprocessing unit 408.

Now, processing executed by the download processing unit 409 fordownloading a directly processable file will be described in detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the present exemplaryembodiment, PDF data is used as an example of the directly processablefile. However, if data of a different type is used, the presentexemplary embodiment executes processing unique to the data type.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a PDF file. A PDF fileincludes trailer information in a trailing edge portion of the file. Thetrailer information includes information necessary for analyzing the PDFfile, i.e., positional information about the cross reference tableincluded in the file and positional information about a documentcatalog.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary processing executed by aprocessing program for downloading a PDF file (download processingprogram), which is executed by the download processing unit 409.Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1001, when a request for downloading aPDF file is input, the download processing unit 409 requests theapplication server 103 to transmit 1 kilobyte (KB) terminal data of thePDF file.

After receiving the terminal data of 1 KB from the application server103, the download processing unit 409 stores the received data on theauxiliary storage device 303 as a file. In step S1002, the downloadprocessing unit 409 analyzes the trailer information included in thereceived data. Furthermore, the download processing unit 409 acquiresthe positional information about the cross reference table and thepositional information about the document catalog.

In step S1003, the download processing unit 409 requests the applicationserver 103 to transmit the cross reference table according to eachinformation acquired in step S1002. As a result, the download processingunit 409 receives the requested cross reference table.

The download processing unit 409 stores the received cross referencetable on the auxiliary storage device 303 as a file.

In step S1004, the download processing unit 409 requests the applicationserver 103 to transmit the document catalog in the PDF file based on thedocument catalog positional information and the cross reference table.As a result, the download processing unit 409 receives the documentcatalog. The download processing unit 409 stores the received documentcatalog on the auxiliary storage device 303 as a file.

In step S1005, the download processing unit 409 requests the applicationserver 103 to transmit a page tree in the PDF file based on page treeinformation included in the document catalog and the cross referencetable acquired in step S1004. As a result, the download processing unit409 receives the page tree and stores the received page tree on theauxiliary storage device 303 as a file.

In step S1006, the download processing unit 409 acquires informationabout the number of pages (page quantity information) in the PDF filefrom the number of leaf nodes included in the page tree. The downloadprocessing unit 409 notifies the acquired page quantity information tothe print setting processing unit 408.

In step S1007, the download processing unit 409 requests the applicationserver 103 to transmit each page object in the PDF file based on thepage tree and the cross reference table. As a result, the downloadprocessing unit 409 receives the page object and stores the receivedpage object on the auxiliary storage device 303 as a file.

In step S1008, the download processing unit 409 acquires the paper size(medium BOX) information from each page object. When the page sizeinformation about all pages is completely acquired, the downloadprocessing unit 409 notifies the page information including the pagesize information about all pages to the print setting processing unit408.

In step S1009, the download processing unit 409 requests the file server104 to transmit the remaining portion (data) of the PDF file yet to beacquired. As a result, the download processing unit 409 receives theremaining portion (data) of the PDF file. If it is determined that alldata of the PDF file has been acquired, the download processing unit 409combines the acquired pieces of data together in order of theconfiguration of the PDF file. Furthermore, the download processing unit409 stores the combined data on the auxiliary storage device 303.Subsequently, the download processing unit 409 notifies the job controlprocessing unit 401 that the downloading processing has been completed.

Now, the operation executed by the print setting processing unit 408 instep S802 (FIG. 8) will be described in detail below with reference toFIGS. 11A through 11C. FIG. 11A illustrates an example of a defaultscreen of a print setting screen 50, which is displayed by the imagedisplay apparatus 304 when the job control processing unit 401 has inputa request for displaying the print setting screen to the print settingprocessing unit 408.

On the default screen, a page designation button 51 and a finisherbutton 52 are displayed in a gray-out state to indicate that the usercannot select them. In this state, the user can execute other printsettings.

FIG. 11B illustrates an example of a screen displayed by the imagedisplay apparatus 304 when the page quantity information is notifiedfrom the download processing unit 409 to the print setting processingunit 408. When the page quantity information is notified, the printsetting processing unit 408 discontinues the gray-out display of thepage designation button 51 because the number of pages included in theprint data can be finally determined. Accordingly, in this state, theuser can execute an operation for designating the range of pages to beprinted.

FIG. 11C illustrates an example of a screen displayed by the imagedisplay apparatus 304 when the page information is notified from thedownload processing unit 409 to the print setting processing unit 408.When the page information is received, the print setting processing unit408 discontinues the gray-out display of the finisher button 52 becausewhether to set stapling and sorting can be finally determined.Accordingly, in this state, the user can execute an operation fordesignating the paper discharge method.

For example, in executing stapling, it is required, as a restriction tostapling, that all data included in the print data is of the sameseries. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 101 cannot outputprint data that does not satisfy the acquired condition as staple-outputtarget print data.

In each of the screens illustrated in FIGS. 11A through 11C, when aprint start button 53 is selected, the print setting processing unit 408notifies the print setting information to the job control processingunit 401. Then the processing in step S802 (FIG. 8) ends.

When it is notified from each of the download processing unit 409 andthe print setting processing unit 408 that the processing in step S801and step S802 has been completed, the job control processing unit 401executes the processing in step S803. In step S803, the job controlprocessing unit 401 notifies the downloaded file to the PDL processingunit 413 as the print data and requests the PDL processing unit 413 toexecute an analysis and drawing on the print data. The PDL processingunit 413 executes the drawing on the print data in the unit of a page.

In step S804, the job control processing unit 401 notifies each pagegenerated in step S803 and the print setting information to the printprocessing unit 414. After executing appropriate image processing andfinishing on the page data, the print processing unit 414 finally printsthe image-processed print data. After printing all the pages, theprocessing returns to step S501 and the processing executed by usingdialogs with the user via the web browser screen is continued.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in executing pullprinting of a directly processable file, the processing for downloadingprint data is executed while the print setting processing is currentlyexecuted. Therefore, the present exemplary embodiment can effectivelyreduce the time required for the user to wait until the print data iscompletely downloaded. Accordingly, the present exemplary embodiment canprovide the highly productive image forming apparatus 101.

In addition, according to the present exemplary embodiment, theinformation necessary for the print setting processing, which isincluded in the print data, is displayed on the print setting screenwhile downloading the print data. Therefore, the user can start adesignation from items that can be set. Accordingly, the presentexemplary embodiment can further improve the productivity of the imageforming apparatus 101.

Furthermore, when a directly processable file is acquired, the presentexemplary embodiment enables the user to set a desired defaultprocessing method differently for each file path (URI). Therefore, thenumber of operations (steps) the user is required to select for theprocessing method can be reduced. Accordingly, the present exemplaryembodiment can yet further improve the productivity of the image formingapparatus 101.

In the present exemplary embodiment, each print method is implemented byone image forming apparatus for easier understanding. However, theembodiments are not limited to this. More specifically, the embodimentscan be implemented by an appropriate combination of the describedconfigurations.

The embodiments can also be achieved by providing a system or anapparatus with a storage medium storing software (program) implementingthe functions of the embodiments or via a network and by reading andexecuting the program code stored in the storage medium with a computerof the system or the apparatus (a CPU or a micro processing unit (MPU)).In an example, a computer-readable medium may store a program thatcauses an image forming apparatus to perform a method described herein.In another example, a central processing unit (CPU) may be configured tocontrol at least one unit utilized in a method or apparatus describedherein.

With the above-described configuration, the present exemplary embodimentcan further improve the productivity of the image forming apparatus thatprocesses and handles print data stored on the information processingapparatus.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2010-145117 filed Jun. 25, 2010, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: anacquisition unit configured to acquire print data from an informationprocessing apparatus; a setting unit configured to receive a useroperation executed via an input device and configured to execute a printsetting for the print data, wherein the print setting is configured tobe in a disabled state that prevents the user from performing anoperation of the print setting and an enabled state that permits theuser to perform an operation of the print setting; and an instructionunit configured to instruct the acquisition unit to acquire the printdata based on a print instruction for executing printing and configuredto instruct the setting unit to receive an input by the user operationfor executing the print setting for the print data, wherein the printsetting is an operation for designating a range of pages to be printedand is in a disabled state that prevents the user from designating arange of pages to be printed from the print data, wherein theacquisition unit is configured to receive, from the informationprocessing apparatus according to an instruction input by theinstruction unit, first information that is part of the print data fromwhich the acquisition unit can acquire second information that isdifferent from the first information, wherein the second information ispage quantity information representing a number of pages of the printdata, and wherein the setting unit is configured to receive the useroperation according to an instruction input by the instruction unit andto change, in response to the acquisition unit notifying the pagequantity information to the setting unit, the print setting from beingin the disabled state to being in an enable state such that the user candesignate a range of pages to be printed from the print data.
 2. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print settingis an operation for designating a paper discharge method and is in adisabled state that prevents the user from designating a paper dischargemethod for the print data, wherein the acquisition unit is configuredacquire, from the information processing apparatus according aninstruction input by the instruction unit, paper size information thatis part of the print data and represents a size of paper for use inprinting the print data, and wherein the setting unit is configured toreceive the user operation according to an instruction input by theinstruction unit and to change, in response to the acquisition unitnotifying the paper size information to the setting unit, the printsetting from being in the disabled state to being in an enable statesuch that the user can designate a paper discharge method for the printdata.
 3. A print control method for an image forming apparatus, theprint control method comprising: acquiring print data from aninformation processing apparatus; receiving a user operation executedvia an input device and executing a print setting for the print data,wherein the print setting is configured to be in a disabled state thatprevents the user from performing an operation of the print setting andan enabled state that permits the user to perform an operation of theprint setting; and instructing the acquiring to acquire the print databased on a print instruction for executing printing and instructing thereceiving to receive an input by the user operation for executing theprint setting for the print data, wherein the print setting is anoperation for designating a range of pages to be printed and is in adisabled state that prevents the user from designating a range of pagesto be printed from the print data, wherein acquiring includes receiving,from the information processing apparatus according to an inputinstruction, first information that is part of the print data from whichthe acquiring can acquire second information that is different from thefirst information, wherein the second information is page quantityinformation representing a number of pages of the print data, andwherein receiving includes receiving the user operation according to aninput instruction and changing, in response to the acquiring notifyingthe page quantity information, the print setting from being in thedisabled state to being in an enable state such that the user candesignate a range of pages to be printed from the print data.
 4. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program thatcauses an image forming apparatus to perform the print control methodaccording to claim 3.